The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala. published
four editions 100 years ago during the month of November 1914. Those papers,
which were published by Journal editor and proprietor Q. Salter, were dated
Nov. 5, Nov. 12, Nov. 19 and Nov. 26. What follows are a few news highlights
from each of those newspapers. Enjoy.
NOV. 5, 1914
TWO DEPLORABLE HOMICIDES: Two homicides occurred in the
county within the last 10 days. The first took place near Lower Peach Tree on
Wednesday, the 28th ult, when B.W. Slaughter shot and killed Watt Cobb. The
second occurred near Bone Hill church in the northeastern section of the county
on Friday the 30th in which Wright Eddins was the victim of a gunshot wound at
the hands of Julian Andrews.
Slaughter came to Monroeville Thursday and voluntarily
surrendered to the sheriff and was given a preliminary hearing before Judge
McCorvey Saturday as a result of which he was discharged. It was shown on the
preliminary hearing that Cobb, who was a constable in his community and acting
deputy for Sheriff Stallworth, went to Slaughter’s gin on the day of the
killing for the purpose of arresting a negro in Slaughter’s employ. Slaughter
agreed to become responsible for the appearance of the negro at the trial,
which Cobb said would be satisfactory. Slaughter started to walk away when Cobb
called him back, stating that he had been wanting to have a settlement with him
regarding some matter that had been in dispute between for several months, and
it is alleged made threats and drew his pistol, whereupon Slaughter fired two
shots, both taking effect in Cobb’s body, causing his death within a short
time.
There was only one witness to the shooting, the negro whom
Cobb had placed under arrest.
Andrews was arrested and brought to Monroeville where he
waived examination and was committed to jail in default of bail. Nothing
definite has been learned concerning the circumstances attending the shooting
of Eddins.
NOV. 12, 1914
Davis Brothers’ Store Burned: Messrs. Davis Bros. sustained
the loss of their store building and entire stock of goods by fire near
Manistee on the morning of Nov. 5. The loss is estimated at between $10,000 and
$12,000, only partially covered by insurance.
The fire was discovered about three o’clock in the morning,
but had gained such headway that it was impossible to arrest it or save
anything of value from the building. The fire is supposed to have been purely
accidental.
The Messrs Davis are enterprising, progressive young
businessmen and their loss is a severe blow, as their new fall stock of goods
had only recently arrived.
His many friends throughout the county regret to learn of
the serious illness of Capt. John A. McCreary, at his home at Turnbull.
The popular comedy in four acts, “Hazel Adams,” will be
presented by local talent at the High School Auditorium on Thursday evening,
Nov. 12, at eight o’clock for the benefit of the department of Domestic Science
in the High School. Admission 10 and 25 cents.
Dr. Robbins Nettles of Peterman was among Monroeville
friends Wednesday.
L.J. Bugg, Esq., was in Selma on professional business the
first of the week.
Masters Erastus and George Talbert spent Sunday with there
grandparents at Claiborne.
NOV. 19, 1914
There were 17,932 bales of cotton ginned in Monroe County
from the crop of 1914 prior to Nov. 1 as compared with 17,534 ginned prior to
Nov. 1, 1913. S.D. Nettles, Special Agent.
Circuit Court in Session: The fall term of circuit court
convened on Monday with Judge John T. Lackland presiding and Solicitor McDuffie
representing the state.
The civil business of the term is not extensive and will
probably be concluded today. The criminal docket is somewhat heavier, there
being two capital cases set for trial, viz: The case of the state vs. Torrey
Puryear, charged with murder, set for Wednesday of next week, and the case of
the state vs. Jim Sampson, same charge, set for Friday.
Bridge Letting: On Dec. 21, 1914, I will attend at the
Joiner Ford on Little River for the purpose of letting contract for the
building of a bridge cross said river by Monroe and Baldwin counties jointly.
Sealed bids may be filed with the undersigned who will furnish specifications
on application. The right is reserved to reject any and all bids. A.F. Lambert,
Commissioner.
Rev. D.F. Ellisor, pastor of the Monroeville circuit, is
closing up his third year’s work preparatory to rendering his annual report at
the Alabama conference, which meets in Andalusia early in December.
The Journal was favored Tuesday by a call from our long time
friend Mr. J.W. Watson of the northeastern section of the county, accompanied
by his daughter, Mrs. Eddins.
NOV. 26, 1914
Capt. H.L. McDuffies is expecting orders from the adjutant
general for the local military company to go into camp at Montgomery for rifle
practice.
The attendance upon the terms of circuit court nowadays is
notably smaller than in the old days when nearly everybody, whether litigants
or onlookers, came to town on those occasions. Horse-swapping, yarn-swapping
and social intermingling in those days were marked features. Latterly,
comparatively little of either is observable. The frequency of court terms in
late years is probably largely responsible for the change.
The Journal learns that there is strong probability of the
resumption of the work of construction of the Gulf, Florida and Alabama
railroad within the next week or 10 days, and it is expected that the work will
continue uninterruptedly until connection is made with the Southern railroad at
Pine Hill. It is said that only a few weeks work is necessary to complete the
roadbed between the present terminus at Boughton and Limestone creek, which a
great deal of grading has already been done beyond the later point.
Some splendid work in the way of street and road improvement
is now being made under the authority of the city government. The contract has
been let to Mr. Buck, the railroad contractor, for the construction of a half
mile of street and road leading in the direction of Perdue Hill. The road is
being made standard width with proper drainage and when completed will have a
heavy coating of gravel.
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